Modernization and extension of the airport During the report year attention was paid to the reinforcement andtechnical upgrading of aviation security measures. “Riga” Airportinvestment in aviation security has always been balanced. In view of the11th September terrorist attacks the airport carried out unscheduledactivities to reinforce security, transferring a major part of theinvestment initially planned for infrastructure development to security. In the middle of 2002 cargo X-ray equipment was obtained andinstalled. Latvia is a member of European Aviation Conference (ECAC), whichset 1 January 2003 the deadline for the introduction of the 100% screeningof checked baggage at international airports. If this requirement had notbeen met, the aircraft departing from Riga would have faced long handlingdelays at other European airports; while all the baggage arriving from“Riga” airport would have been subject to time-consuming security controls.At the end of 2002 “Riga” airport launched automatic baggage screeningequipment- which is a part of the common baggage security control system-to provide maximum safety and convenience for passengers. The producer ofthe equipment is the well-known company ‘Heimann”. The system facilitatesthree-level baggage control. The automatic baggage screening equipment hasthe capacity to process 1 200 baggage units per hour. Accordingly, twosystems facilitate security control of 2 400 baggage units per hour. Theinstalled equipment ensures security control fully compliant with the EUrequirements in the field of aviation security. In addition to baggagecontrol equipment, a computer room was arranged and 47 airport employeeswere trained. Altogether, security equipment and the reconstruction ofbaggage conveyors cost the airport 1.6 million EUR. To reinforce security in the major areas and facilities at theairport, the aircraft handling area and the technical area of the airfieldwas fenced off and a checkpoint was arranged. During the report year the 2nd and 3rd floor reconstruction of thepassenger terminal continued. Airline agencies moved to comfortable officesand after the reconstruction the 3rd level of passenger terminal wasopened. After many years the restaurant run by the well-known Latviancompany “Lido” has been opened at the airport. The airport guests have anopportunity both to enjoy the “Lido” menu and have a panoramic view overthe airfield, which was impossible for a long time due to thereconstruction. The terminal has also become friendlier to passengers withspecial needs, as the lift facilitates access to any level of the terminal. In the winter season airfield maintenance requires extra effort andcosts. It is extremely important to ensure the airport operationirrespective of the weather and provide all flights according to the flightschedule. Therefore the airport has upgraded transport and emergencysystems by obtaining two multi-functional airfield maintenance vehiclesproduced by the well-known company “Marcel Boschung AG”. The vehiclesremove snow from runway, taxiways and apron areas and provide anti-icing ofsurfaces. In the summer season the vehicles are used to collect garbage anddust. Equipment for the treatment of land amelioration systems, loading anddigging was obtained. An airfield area of 10 ha was cleared of underbrush,thus increasing ground capacity. “Riga” airports is the second of the European airports havingintroduced the passenger loyalty programme N.O.V.A. to the benefit of ourpassengers, despite the fact that it does not bring the airport any extraprofit. However, the programme enables the airport to keep in touch withpassengers regularly and not only while they are travelling.Financial performance SJSC Riga International Airport ended the financial year 2002 with202.4 thousand LVL profit. Aviation services with 6 242 100 LVL or 75%account for the major revenue share of economic activity. Revenue share ofother services increased year on the year and amounted to 2 033 400 LVL in2002. Runway and airport infrastructure maintenance, salaries, and creditinterest payments comprise the major expenditure share of economicactivity. In 2002 the airport continued to invest resources in the developmentof infrastructure and purchasing of runway maintenance equipment. One ofthe main investments was purchasing of a new automatic baggage screening toprovide maximum safety for passengers.